'''Erkenbrand''' was one of the [[Rohirrim]]. At the time of the [[War of the Ring]], Erkenbrand had retired from service to [[Théoden]], but returned after the death of Théoden's son [[Théodred]] to command the forces of [[Rohan]] in its western regions. He later played a critical role in the [[Battle of the Hornburg]] when he and [[Gandalf]] lead an army of a thousand riders to reinforce the besieged forces of Rohan.

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{{rohirrim infobox

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| image=[[File:Decipher - Erkenbrand.jpg|250px]]

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| name=Erkenbrand

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| titles=Lord of Westfold

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| position=[[Marshal of the West-mark]]

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| location=[[Rohan]]

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| language=[[Rohirric]]

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| gender=Male

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}}

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<center>{{quote|Amid them strode a man tall and strong. His shield was red. As he came to the valley's brink, he set to his lips a great black horn and blew a ringing blast. 'Erkenbrand!' the Riders shouted. 'Erkenbrand!'|''[[The Two Towers]]'', [[Helm's Deep (chapter)|Helm's Deep]]}}</center>

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'''Erkenbrand''' was one of the [[Rohirrim]]. He was the Lord of the [[Westfold]] during the [[War of the Ring]]. He was the uncle of [[Dúnhere]].

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==Life==

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Erkenbrand was presumably born in the [[Hornburg]], and followed his father as the Lord of the Westfold. He became a valiant knight in the service of the [[Kings of Rohan|King of Rohan]], but nothing is told of the deeds of those times. He retired, and settled in the Hornburg.

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Erkenbrand is a name that comes from two Old English words: Eorcan (meaning "precious") and Brand (meaning "sword").

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When the shadow from [[Isengard]] began to grow, Erkenbrand strenthened the defenses of the Hornburg and the [[Deeping Wall]]. After the death of [[Théodred]] on [[25 February]], {{TA|3019}} in the [[First Battle of the Fords of Isen]], Erkenbrand took command of the western defenses of Rohan. He sent a messenger to [[Théoden]] in [[Edoras]] to inform him of the ill news and ask for reinforcements, but [[Gríma|Gríma Wormtongue]] delayed the message.

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Erkenbrand does not appear in [[Peter Jackson]]'s film of ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (film)|The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]''. Instead, it is [[Éomer]] whom [[Gandalf]] sets out to find and returns with in the dawn of the final battle at [[Helm's Deep]]. However he does make a brief appearence in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (film)|The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''

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[[Elfhelm]] eventually rode to the [[Fords of Isen]] with the men of Edoras, where they joined [[Grimbold|Grimbold of Grimslade]], who was left in charge of the Fords when Erkenbrand tried to send stragglers from the first battle to [[Helm's Deep]]. Erkenbrand had left around 1000 troopers under [[Gamling|Gamling the Old]] to guard his home.

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On [[2 March|March 2]], the [[Second Battle of the Fords of Isen]] was fought, and the defenses on the [[Isen]] were driven back by [[Saruman]]'s forces. Erkenbrand had managed to gather around a thousand soldiers when they came across [[Gandalf]]. Gandalf told them Théoden sought the refuge of the Hornburg, and that they would join the battle. They arrived at dawn of [[4 March|March 4]], and turned the tide of the [[Battle of the Hornburg]].

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Erkenbrand did not come to [[Minas Tirith]] to fight in the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]; instead, he stayed behind to guard Rohan. He was granted this command because of his age, experience and authority.

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After the [[War of the Ring]], King [[Éomer]] named Erkenbrand [[Marshal of the West-mark]].

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==Appearance==

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Erkenbrand was said to have been tall and strong, and reminiscent of [[Helm|Helm Hammerhand]]. He bore a red shield and a black horn.

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==Etymology==

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Erkenbrand is a name that possibly was derived from two [[Old English]] words: ''eorcan'' (meaning "precious") and ''brand'' (meaning "fire-brand, torch; sword").<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 413</ref>

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==Portrayal in adaptations==

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In both [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]] and ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'', Erkenbrand's position is taken by [[Éomer]]. This is mainly because he would appear unintroduced, and the return of Éomer serves the films' climax better. Erkenbrand did appear on a [[Decipher Card]]. [[Weta Workshop|Weta]]'s Mike Grealish served as the character, wearing the armour of Théodred, which did not get much attention in the film.

Revision as of 15:16, 11 December 2012

"Amid them strode a man tall and strong. His shield was red. As he came to the valley's brink, he set to his lips a great black horn and blew a ringing blast. 'Erkenbrand!' the Riders shouted. 'Erkenbrand!'"

Contents

Life

Erkenbrand was presumably born in the Hornburg, and followed his father as the Lord of the Westfold. He became a valiant knight in the service of the King of Rohan, but nothing is told of the deeds of those times. He retired, and settled in the Hornburg.